programplanningoverview.htm

Planning your coursework is, in most cases, a very simple task, and you may find that you need only to download your program planning worksheet, select appropriate courses, consult your advisor prior to each advance registration period, and complete your studies in a timely fashion.

The program planning worksheet is the critical tool for managing your program. It tells you what you have to have taken, and what options you have in your program. Second to that is the course schedule for the upcoming semester. Knowing which courses are being offered and when they are taught is essential to making steady progress through the program--the more courses you take in a given semester, the more this information matters. Most of our students are part-time, and many of our courses apply to different programs, so we cannot guarantee that all sections will be offered at times that exactly fit your program. The Department publishes its course schedules well in advance of being officially posted on the UA website, so the moment it appears is when you need to start planning for the upcoming semesters. Third, your advisor plays a role which may be incidental if your program flows along smoothly (as it does most often), or pivotal if things go awry. Your advisor will be playing a greater role if you are full-time, and especially in the Lit B-12 program which requires you to take courses in both the elementary and secondary areas. He or she will also be visible if you start doing poorly in your courses, or if you get AVNs for approved courses but then register for non-approved ones. Advisors also become very helpful if you run into difficulties with courses, or find it necessary to drop out of a course for one reason or another.

So here is what you need to do:

download a program planning sheet, and keep it updated with courses you're planning and those you've taken (a copy must be in your permanent folder in the Reading Department, updated each semester). Make sure you have the program plan that matches your admission letter.

keep a close eye on our website, note important dates (advance registration, filing for degrees, opening of wait-lists, etc.), and especially watch for upcoming course schedules

make sure you are on waiting lists for any courses that require it (e.g., ERDG620, ERDG623). We give you ample notice about dates for these on our website

consult your advisor each semester to get AVNs for upcoming courses

consult your advisor at the first sign of trouble with your courses or program

if you have trouble contacting your advisor, email Linda Papa (LPapa@albany.edu)--your concerns will be addressed promptly

Last Updated: February 21, 2006